Chapter 5: Storing Your Emergency Kit

By now, you’ve got the Preparedness Mindset down - the sweet spot between educated and prepared, while still enjoying day-to-day life as it is. Great work so far!
Your kits are ready to go for your whole family, you know how to maintain them... now, where do you keep it?

You could be anywhere when an emergency happens, but most likely you’ll be in one of three places: home, work, or in/near your car. Given you may be unable to return home in an emergency, we recommend having an emergency kit in each of these three locations.

The keys to successful storage are accessibility, dryness, and protection from extreme temperatures. Here’s what we suggest.

Home: Storein an open area near your bed, near an exit, under a bench in your entryway, or a dry outdoor shed or storage space.

Work: Store in an unlocked cabinet, on an easily accessible shelf, or under your desk. Depending on how much space you have at work, consider a mini-bag.

Car: Storein the trunk of your car. This will be useful in any emergency, from your car breaking down to a natural disaster. Keep in mind, the food and water may need to be restocked more often if your car is exposed to extreme cold. We know what you’re thinking - couldn’t the trunk overheat? We thought the same thing, but it’s actually the body of the car that overheats. Windows act as a heat magnifier, whereas the trunk is completely protected from sunlight and stays cooler naturally.

No matter where you’re storing your kit, avoid putting it anywhere it could be buried or displaced. Near, in, or under furniture that may easily collapse, or in garages or closets where items can easily fall on top of your kit are not ideal for storage.

Finally, store your kits in a dry space. While an emergency kit is likely to withstand many environmental circumstances, sustained moisture could be damaging.